Japanese travel agency HIS Co. is to sell its entire stake in Huis Ten Bosch, one of the country’s largest theme parks, to a Hong Kong investment fund.
The Tokyo-based firm will transfer its 66.7 per cent stake in the theme park to Pacific Alliance Group for about 66.7 billion yen (US$482 million). The park’s five other stakeholders, including Kyushu Railway Co. and Kyushu Electric Power Co., are also expected to sell their shares to the fund.
HIS will sell its 66.7 per cent stake in Huis Ten Bosch to Pacific Alliance Group
Located in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Huis Ten Bosch is named after the Netherlands’ royal palace in The Hague in recognition of the deep ties between Nagasaki and the European nation, which began in 1609. It recreates the landscape of a traditional Dutch town, with many Dutch-style historic buildings such as hotels, museums, theatres, shops and restaurants.
The theme park features iconic aspects of the Netherlands such as windmills, canals and a park featuring tulips and other seasonal flowers, all interspersed with amusements and attractions. It is also home to Henn na Hotel, which holds a Guinness World Record for being the world’s first hotel to be staffed by working robots.
The loss of inbound and domestic tourism revenue as a result of the pandemic is thought to have been a factor in HIS’s move to sell the park, which attracted 3.1 million visitors in the fiscal year ending September 2015.
The travel agency reported a record nett loss of 26.9 billion yen from November 2021 to April 2022, and announced it would reduce its capital from 24.8 billion yen to 100 million yen to improve its financial situation.
New owner Pacific Alliance Group is expected to continue operations of Huis Ten Bosch, which has “high growth potential”, according to a company representative.
The fund also has investments in the operator of Universal Studios Japan in Osaka.
A consortium of leading reservation and ticketing system providers, distributors, experience operators and other tours, activities and attractions companies has led the formation of Open Connectivity for Tours, Activities & Attractions (OCTO), a non-profit association that aims to advance technical connectivity standards for this travel sector.
OCTO provides an open source specification – the OCTO Spec – to enable reservation and ticketing system providers and tour, activity and attraction ticket resellers to connect their systems for more efficient distribution.
OCTO provides members with opportunities to participate in the development of OCTO Spec; Alaska X’s Glacier Point Wilderness Safari excursion pictured
“The technology and distribution landscape in tours and attractions is incredibly fragmented, with hundreds of technology providers, in-house technologies and many hundreds of resellers,” said Carrie Keplinger, EVP of Go City and vice president, OCTO.
“This has required each company to invest in new API development every time they want to connect to a new partner. A standard specification would significantly reduce the cost for many companies in our industry to connect to more partners and grow the industry.”
OCTO does not provide an API, channel manager or connectivity infrastructure or services, nor does it charge for any services. The specification and documentation are freely available on the OCTO website.
The association’s founding members include Arival, Go City, Tiqets and TUI Musement, and comprises specialists in technology such as CityPASS, Goblick and Headout as well as operators and attractions such as Alaska X, Merlin Entertainments and Universal Orlando.
OCTO wants to grow its membership to support the advancement of the specification, and provides members with opportunities to participate in the development of OCTO Spec through the Specification Committee and various working groups. It also provides members with implementation support through an online community platform, as well as through online and in-person meetings.
The association welcomes representatives from tour and activity operators and visitor attractions to join and participate on the Operator Advisory Committee and working groups, to ensure that operators have direct input on the direction of the specification.
Different levels of membership for technology providers, distributors and tour and attraction operators are available.
Douglas Quinby, CEO of Arival, and president of OCTO, tours, told TTG Asia that the association is relevant to tours, activities and attractions players in Asia-Pacific.
“OCTO already has several members who are active in Asia, and the intent is that the specification would have global applicability,” he noted, adding that the association will also welcome attraction and operator associations into its membership.
The first OCTO members meeting will be held on October 19 at the Arival Las Vegas conference.
Marriott International is set to expand its luxury hotel portfolio in the Asia-Pacific with the addition of 14 properties by the end of 2023. The brand currently operates 156 luxury properties in the region.
Across 13 countries and regions in Asia-Pacific, Marriott International will also bring bespoke experiences to emerging destinations such as Jeju and Jiuzhaigou.
W Sydney is the brand’s third hotel in Australia
“Today’s luxury traveller is looking for authentic experiences that are personalised, thoughtful and uniquely meaningful,” said Bart Buiring, chief sales and marketing officer Asia Pacific, Marriott International. “Our current portfolio of highly distinctive brands is well-positioned to meet the evolving needs of travellers, and these expected additions reflect our optimism for the future of luxury travel.”
Opening in 2023 is The Ritz-Carlton, Fukuoka in Japan, The Ritz-Carlton, Melbourne in Australia, and Ritz-Carlton Reserve in the historic Chinese valley of Jiuzhaigou.
Upcoming openings in major cities across the region include The St Regis Jakarta in Indonesia later this year, and St Regis’ debut in Goa, India.
W Hotels is slated to expand to Macau in 2023, while launching its third hotel in Australia with W Sydney.
Four new JW Marriott hotels across the region are also set to open – JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort Suites and JW Marriott Jeju Resort & Spa by the end of 2022; as well as JW Marriott Goa Vagator and JW Marriott Hotel Xi’an in 2023.
Edition will expand its footprint in 2023 with a second location in Japan, The Tokyo Edition, Ginza, and the brand’s first in South-east Asia, The Singapore Edition.
Also opening in 2023 is the Bulgari Hotel Tokyo, located in a new ultra-skyscraper near Tokyo Station.
For the Luxury Collection, the recent opening of ITC Narmada, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Ahmedabad, is the latest addition to the brand’s growing ensemble.
Radisson Hotel Group (RHG) has announced expansion plans in the Middle East as it sets to add over 5,000 keys over the next five years, further cementing its presence in the region with a growing portfolio of 77 hotels in operation and under development.
Currently operating 52 properties in the Middle East with more than 11,000 keys, RHG continues to focus on the region, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and United Arab Emirates (UAE) remaining its core markets, and plans to sign at least five hotels and open more than 1,000 keys within the next 12 months.
Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport is the first Radisson-branded property in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The recent opening of Radisson Hotel Riyadh Airport marked RHG’s first Radisson-branded property in Riyadh, KSA, while Mansard Riyadh, A Radisson Collection Hotel is the brand’s second hotel in the city.
Radisson Beach Resort Palm Jumeirah will open later this year in the UAE.
RHG has over 25 hotels and serviced apartments in operation and under development in the Kingdom, including the upcoming openings of Radisson Blu Hotel, Riyadh Convention and Exhibition Center, and Park Inn by Radisson hotels in Makkah’s Thakher City Development.
Elie Milky, vice president development for the Middle East, Pakistan, Cyprus and Greece, RHG said: “We will be announcing more hotels with plans to open another 400 keys before the end of the year, closing the year with almost 1,000 keys signed and almost 1,500 keys opened across the GCC and Levant sub-regions.
“We also look forward to capitalising on our expanding development team across the Middle East and to the opening of our office in Riyadh, reaffirming our strategic shift on the Kingdom.”
Other signings include Radisson Blu Hotel, Amman Galleria Mall in Jordan and Park Inn by Radisson Kuwait Hotel & Apartments in Kuwait, scheduled to open in 2023, as well as Park Inn by Radisson Muscat Airport in Oman.
“We remain committed to unlocking (Middle East) potential with a solid and immediate pipeline to double our hotels in this area by 2026,” adds Elie Younes, executive vice president and global chief development officer, RHG.
Fireworks are set to illuminate the sky against Singapore’s Marina Bay city skyline on New Year’s Eve this year. After a two-year hiatus, STAR ISLAND Singapore Countdown 2022-2023 is back with artisanal Japanese fireworks that have never been featured anywhere in South-east Asia.
With a 22,000-seating capacity, this 70-minute fireworks musical extravaganza features larger-than-life pyrotechnics and dazzling lights, immersive sound and world-class entertainment, and is refreshed with a brand-new storyline this year.
STAR ISLAND Singapore Countdown 2022-2023 is a fireworks musical extravaganza not to be missed
Expect Live DJ performances, family-friendly entertainment zones and gastronomic offerings at the food village as part of the STAR ISLAND experience.
This year’s show includes artisanal “Ghost Effect Shell” fireworks which have been designed to bloom in Singapore’s stunning colours, a red-to-white gradation across the sky. Ten bursts of fireworks bestowed with the “Prime Minister Award” earlier this year at Japan’s Omagari Fireworks Competition will also paint the night skies of Marina Bay for the very first time. Come nightfall, ticket holders will experience a futuristic twist on the traditional Japanese hanabi entertainment show.
There will also be a free admission event preview, “Prequel to STAR ISLAND”, at the Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza from Decemeber 25 to 30, where visitors will be able to get a sneak peek of the show.
Tickets will go on sale on October 20 and start from S$88 (US$62), and S$318 for VIP experience with exclusive entitlements. Each ticket permits entry to the seated gallery at The Float at Marina Bay and access to the food village.
Limited SUITES packages for parties looking to celebrate in luxury start from S$10,888, and comes with a bird’s eye view of the show, sofa seats, table service, and exclusive lounge access.
Voytek Klasicki has been appointed general manager of Cape Panwa Hotel, Phuket.
Klasicki is no stranger to Phuket, having been the general manager at Cape Panwa Hotel 24 years ago. Most recently, he spent the last 15 years working for Centara Hotels and Resorts.
A seasoned hotelier with more than 40 years’ experience, Klasicki has worked in countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, The Maldives and Thailand.
The Thai government has set the tourism revenue target for 2023 at 1.73 billion baht (US$46.2 billion) – 80 per cent of what the Kingdom achieved in 2019, reported The Bangkok Post.
Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri said on September 19 that the bulk would come from international visitors.
The bulk of the Thai government’s tourism revenue target will come from international visitors
In the best case scenario, total revenue from tourism in 2023 could reach 2.38 trillion baht – 1.5 trillion baht from foreign arrivals and 880 billion baht from domestic travellers.
International arrivals to Thailand has been on the mend, aided by the country’s removal of travel barriers. More than five million foreign tourists have arrived in Thailand between January and September this year, according to Anucha.
One million international travellers are expected in September alone, while 10 million are expected by the time the year closes.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has forecasted that arrivals in 4Q2023 would be around 1.5 million per month, and it would work with airlines on marketing to help restore inbound tourism.
China’s tougher border measures and Japan’s cautious approach toward the relaxation of inbound travel restrictions could displace Asia-Pacific as the world’s largest air passenger market for the year 2022.
Asia-Pacific, which has dominated the civil aviation market for several years prior to the pandemic, is estimated to finish second, behind Europe in terms of passenger share, and at a comparable level with North America.
The ACI Asia-Pacific forecast indicates that passenger traffic will only recover by about 55% by end-2022
The latest Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific forecast indicates that by the end of 2022, passenger traffic will only recover by about 55% as compared to pre-pandemic levels. This is in stark contrast to other regions where recovery is substantially higher, and indeed estimated to be approximately between 70% and 80%, respectively. In 2019, 3.4 billion passengers travelled by air in Asia-Pacific, representing 37% of the global volume of 9.2 billion. Following a phenomenal growth, 2020 was a watershed year for aviation as the Covid-19 pandemic crippled the industry.
In 2020, the region witnessed only 1.6 billion passengers, an unprecedented 53% crash in traffic owing to pandemic-induced restrictions across the globe. However, Asia-Pacific dominated the traffic share by contributing 1.6 billion pax or 44% to the global traffic of 3.6 billion. Home to several large domestic markets, the region demonstrated sensible resilience in air traffic.
In 2021, 1.5 billion people travelled by air in Asia-Pacific, experiencing a slight decline by -4% versus 2020, but was still the leading region accounting for 33% of 4.6 billion global passengers.
Although the latest ACI forecast predicts 22% growth for the year 2022 over 2021, the share of passenger traffic in Asia-Pacific is likely to drop to second globally, with an estimated traffic of 1.8 billion passengers – a decline of -45% compared to 2019.
Stefano Baronci, director general, ACI Asia-Pacific said: “The traffic in the region will not be able to fully recover to 2019 levels unless all countries keep their borders open to facilitate freedom of movement. China and Japan – one of the largest contributors to the region’s overall traffic – have been slow in lifting travel and Covid restrictions.
“We are urging states to take a measured approach to facilitate the recovery in a more sustainable manner and without causing significant impact on their healthcare system. Accelerating the recovery will need a whole of industry and government support, especially in view of an increasingly challenging macroeconomic scenario.”
ACI Asia-Pacific has written a letter, co-signed by ACI World and World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), to the prime minister of Japan, urging the government to remove all restrictions and restore the travel privileges to enable smooth recovery of the industry in the region.
Appreciating the Japan government’s efforts for providing a safe environment for its citizens amid the pandemic and easing of restrictions on international air travel in a phased manner, the three organisations urged the Government to take necessary actions to bolster the recovery of the industry, including the resumption of visa exemptions to countries that had such an agreement with Japan.
This reform is considered particularly urgent in view of economies still battling strong headwinds, including geopolitical instability in eastern Europe and its subsequent impact on global macroeconomics, including high inflation and rising energy prices. All these external factors too are causing disruptions in supply chains, negatively hampering the recovery of the industry.
Baronci added: “There are positive signs emerging from Japan where the Government is considering on lifting of daily arrival caps to spur tourism to revive their economy, and it will benefit the industry to a greater extent. We hope to see a positive outcome in the very near future.”
Resorts World Cruises (RWC) is launching a series of monthly thematic cruises on the Genting Dream that includes a variety of enrichment programs and activities for guests to experience while at sea.
Also to commence are the Sail-Away Celebration Parties available at the start of each week for Genting Dream’s Sunday departures, which are filled with performances, music, dance, good vibes and amazing hospitality from the Captain and crew.
Kick-starting in September is Genting Dream’s Light Meets Night thematic cruise
Resorts World Cruises’ president Michael Goh said: “At Resorts World Cruises, we are taking the celebration up a notch and onto the ship, introducing unique themes that will be refreshed every month for our guests’ pleasure. Each thematic cruise promises to be different; and guests can look forward to a one-of-a-kind experience at sea, complementing the extensive onboard offerings, cuisines and shore excursions that are readily available.”
From now until October 16, guests can discover a new world of bright colours and neon lights with the Light Meets Night thematic sailing. The ship’s Zouk Beach Club transforms into a magical outdoor wonderland under the stars with colourful displays and projectors. There is a Glow-in-the-Dark Bouncy Playground just for kids, dance and light performances by some of Singapore’s renowned street musicians and buskers, as well as Arts and Crafts workshops to create glow-in-the-dark paintings, and more.
Celebrate Halloween at sea with the Clowning Around thematic cruise from October 16 to November 2, where the ship turns into a house of horror with special Halloween-themed rooms and activities.
Wellness-seekers can join the Sensational Voyage thematic cruise from November 2-13, where they can participate in numerous exercises and meditation classes under the supervision of professionals, and indulge in healthy meals under the guidance of onboard nutritionists.
For the year-end holidays, celebrate Jelilo Christmas at sea with one of Singapore’s famous homegrown art and toy designers from gagatree. The ship will be decked up in Christmas decorations, with Christmas markets, a Christmas feast, and workshops for guests to creating personalised gifts.
The newly-rebranded Paradox Singapore Merchant Court at Clarke Quay will leverage the hotel’s heritage credentials to stand out in Singapore’s competitive accommodation landscape.
The hotel was conceived following the April 2022 partnership between Canadian-born boutique hospitality brand, Paradox Hotel Group and leading property developer in Malaysia, TA Global to rebrand the former Swissotel Merchant Court.
Khoo-Gan: to reinvent, find new things to entice people to want to come to Singapore
Jessie Khoo-Gan, the hotel’s general manager, told TTG Asia: “One of the key values that the owners wanted to present is to be on the chic, playful side and yet offering an authentically local taste.”
The hotel showcases distinctive décor reminiscent of historical elements. For example, its Ellenborough Market Café spotlights Peranakan (Straits Chinese) dishes and setting, while the name pays homage to the former popular market and street in the area.
The 476-key hotel enjoys a prime location, with the bustling entertainment and dining river district of Clarke Quay at its doorstep as well as tourist spots such as Chinatown and Little India within a short train ride away.
Moving forward, Khoo-Gan wants to build on its unique branding, capitalising on the interesting background of the Merchant Court area where samsui women and coolies used to congregate in the olden days.
Her team is exploring a locally-made, tailored-by-Paradox package for guests that involves a heritage trail in Clarke Quay and nearby Fort Canning.
She told TTG Asia that ideas for the future include bringing local delights, such as bak kut teh (pork rib soup) and sweet potato porridge, to the hotel’s F&B offerings and creating a special massage that is reimagined from treatments offered in the past. The latter is expected to appeal to a rising traveller trend for wellness, and can take advantage of the hotel’s ability to function as a quiet sanctuary to relax and unwind, complete with scenic riverside views.
She said: “We (Singapore) are so small, so we always need to reinvent, find new things to entice people to want to come to Singapore.”
A seasoned hotelier with more than 40 years’ experience, Klasicki has worked in countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, The Maldives and Thailand.
